Digital BW, The Print

I want to make sure the positive aspects of pursuing this printer and
other x000-x500s, are not thrown off track here. There are many
outstanding and demanding B&W printers out there using these models.
There is a strong sense of "self-help" amongst the users out there,
giving a lot of back and forth advice about function and repair. These
models can be maintanenced by those so inclined, the newer models are
much more difficult to work on.
Software solutions are very straightforward. With Cone K6 inks and
QTR, provided profiles get you up and going imediately. Without in
depth knowledge of Paul's K6, my impression is the same for that
inkset and workflow. Please correct me if I am wrong. I belive we had
a lovely sample of that output at the recent workshop.
Outstanding workers out there using these printers, that I am
personally aware of are- Steve Meyers, Tom Mallonee with his gorgeous
custom mix inks, Craig Carlson, and I'm pretty sure Paul Roark uses a
7500, as well as Roy Harrington. Some of these people use StudioPrint,
but the user friendly QTR and supported inksets are very viable
options. There are many others I've failed to mention. Steve has a
7000 and a 9000, and moves large quantities of prints, very successful.

Members of the printing community not regularly in contact with the
dedicated B&W ink workers may not be aware of all of this. Equipment's
age does not rule it out, and sometimes you have to look at the right
tool for the job. Newer printers may have attributes that relate more
to other concerns. I used two 3000s for many years with quad inks,
those prints still hold up. If not for transport problems, I may still
have kept them around.
Tyler